Germans gather at Fort Bliss to remember victims of war

Lt. Col Nils Wetzel, Deputy Commander of the German Air Force Air Defense Center, salutes during the playing of "The Good Comrade" the traditional lament of German soldiers on Sunday at the Fort Bliss National Cemetery during the annual German National Day of Mourning. (Vanessa Monsisvais / El Paso Times)

FORT BLISS >> All over the world, Germans gathered Sunday to remember soldiers and civilians killed in wars, past and present.

They also used the German National Day of Mourning or Volkstrauertag to remember their own role in both world wars, to call on mankind to pursue peace and to place an emphasis on human dignity and human rights.

REPORTER

David Burge

At Fort Bliss, the German air force Air Defense Center played host to its annual remembrance ceremony at the Fort Bliss National Cemetery. More than 200 German staff members and students at the Air Defense Center, Fort Bliss dignitaries and members of the German-American community attended the 30-minute-long event on a brisk fall morning.

Lt. Col. Nils Wetzel, deputy commander of the Air Defense Center, said it is not really an apology for Germany's role in World War I and II, but a way to remember and make sure history doesn't repeat itself.

More than 120 million people were killed or disabled during the two world wars, Wetzel said in German during his speech.

Advertisement

"Those who died during the two world wars and the national socialist (Nazi) dictatorship are part of the German history and responsibility and are deeply engraved into our national identity," Wetzel said. "We must never forget these people or repress memories of them; we must never stop talking about the reasons for this human suffering, and their fate must serve as a constant admonition to fight for keeping or establishing peace."

The German National Day of Mourning takes place two Sundays before the start of the Advent season. It is considered a "silent holiday" with no loud music or dancing allowed.

Wetzel closed his remarks by saying that the casualties of war have left one legacy for the living.

"Establishing, keeping and defending peace is a constant challenge for everyone, but especially for us soldiers," Wetzel said. "Only peace and freedom can provide the basis for a life in human dignity. This is our task -- today, tomorrow and in the days to come."

Among the American dignitaries was Col. Brant V. Dayley, Garrison commander at Fort Bliss. Dayley has spent about half his career at Fort Bliss in different assignments and always makes a point of attending this ceremony when he is stationed here.

"It is very solemn," Dayley said. "Not only is it about reconciliation, but it is a reminder of the hope for peace. The German people have a lot to reconcile as do many of the nations who participated in the world wars. But there is an aspect that reflects hope for the future, hope for peace and kindness in the world that can't be overlooked."

German Cpl. Manuel Sommerfeld, a staff member at the Air Defense Center, said it's "important to have such a day so we don't forget the first and second world wars."

1st Lt. Marco Hauff, the public affairs officer for the Air Defense Center, said it is also important to remember that Germany has been part of the international coalition fighting in Afghanistan and has had 54 service members killed there.